Doctors attack 'stupid' law of lower drinking age

By HELEN TUNNAH, deputy political editor

An Auckland emergency doctor has predicted the cost of lowering the drinking age will be many more alcoholics as the city's hospital treats a soaring number of young drunks.

Another doctor, this time in Christchurch, says the number of underage drinkers being treated for potentially fatal alcohol poisoning has doubled since the drinking age was lowered from 20 years to 18.

The clinician's warnings come as officials complete a new report for Justice Minister Phil Goff on the impact of youth drinking.

The Herald understands the report has only just been completed, and it is not clear if the Government is actively rethinking the drinking age.

In a conscience vote, MPs decided 59-54 to lower the legal drinking age in 1999.

Mr Goff, Health Minister Annette King and Prime Minister Helen Clark were among those who voted against the change.

Dr Peter Jones said it had been "crazy" for MPs to lower the drinking age because it had created more health and social costs when governments were telling hospitals they could not have more money.

"Clearly, it seems to me a stupid move."

Since it took effect, in December 1999, the number of intoxicated young people being admitted to Auckland City Hospital's emergency department has risen every year.

Last year it was 40 per cent higher than in 1999.

Parliament has taken one step to try to curb the selling of liquor to underage drinkers, by introducing a new law to let the police set up "sting" operations using teenagers to trap retailers who break the law.

The Distilled Spirits Association has asked Parliament to let supermarkets sell spirits, a move the Alcohol Advisory Council strongly opposes.

Association chief executive Thomas Chin said it was economically unjust for wine and beer to be sold in supermarkets, but not spirits.

He said it would not be fair to raise "bogeyman" concerns about youth drinking to impede commerce, when there were laws to stop sales to underage drinkers.

Dr Jones, an emergency medicine specialist, said Auckland City Hospital had been recording how many intoxicated young people were being seen for treatment.

He said before the law was changed, about about 100 15 to 19-year-olds were treated each year.

In the four years since, the figure ranged from 129 to 140.

Christchurch hospital emergency specialist Mike Ardagh said anecdotal evidence there suggested a rise, particularly with underage drinkers, and the numbers with potentially fatal alcohol poisoning had doubled.

"If anything is happening in terms of the age range, I think the mean is getting a bit lower, because we are seeing more of the 14, 15 and 16-year-olds."

As well as the age limit, the ready availability of alcohol had contributed to the rise, he said.

Dr Jones said the figures were a "gross underestimate", because many admissions may be listed for an injury sustained while drinking, rather than directly as an alcohol admission.

"We only see the tip of the iceberg in terms of people coming to the emergency department because most drunk people never get here.

"If we're seeing an increase, there must be an increase out in the community and that's got all the associated violence, interpersonal abuse and crime.

"In 20 years we're probably going to be seeing more alcoholics because more people are being exposed [to alcohol].

"Those sort of hidden costs aren't counted for when this sort of legislation comes in.

"It's just crazy, to be honest."

Dr Jones said his personal view was that the legal age for buying alcohol should revert to 20 years, and be properly enforced, and there should be restrictions on advertising alcohol.

Police and the Alcohol Advisory Council both said yesterday there remained problems with youth drinking, particularly over the sale and supply of liquor to underage drinkers.

New Zealand First already has a private members' bill in the parliamentary ballot, seeking to overturn the 1999 law change and return to the previous law which let 18-year-olds drink with supervision, but not buy alcohol until they were 20.

National MP Judith Collins also wants the law reviewed.

She said independent studies of the impact of youth drinking were needed. The legal age for buying alcohol did not necessarily have to go back to 20, and 19 years could be considered.

"We need to see independent evidence, the anecdotal evidence is it's not working."

* Additional reporting: REBECCA WALSH

Drunken teens

Numbers of intoxicated 15 to 19-year-olds treated at Auckland City Hospital's emergency department.

1998 - 103

1999 - 97

2000 - 136

2001 - 134

2002 - 129

2003 - 140